Viet Nam, US share supplementary strengths for development
As members of the Asia - Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum, Viet Nam and the US have complementary strengths for mutual development, bringing benefits to the two economies.
Since the establishment of ties on July 12, 1995, Viet Nam and the US have become comprehensive partners, ranging from politics, economy, diplomacy, education, science-technology to national defense-security. Economic cooperation is a foundation and increasingly important driving force for bilateral ties.
Two-way trade, which was a mere 450 million USD in 1995, surged to 21.8 billion USD in 2001 when a bilateral trade agreement took effect on December 10.
Since 2005, the US has become Viet Nam’s largest importer with two-way trade growing 20 percent in recent years, surpassing 45 billion USD in 2015 and nearing 47.2 billion USD in 2016, with Viet Nam enjoying a trade surplus. The American Chamber of Commerce in Viet Nam estimated the total value of bilateral trade at 80 billion USD by 2020.
In investment, the US is among the top 10 countries and territories investing in Viet Nam with total registered capital of more than 11 billion USD, not to mention its capital flows via third countries, mostly in hospitality and restaurant services, processing, and manufacturing industries, among others. Many US businesses have been operating for a long time in Viet Nam such as Intel, Microsoft, GE, Chevron, and Exxon Mobil.
About official development assistance, the US has provided more than 100 million USD to Viet Nam each year.
According to experts, Viet Nam - US economic ties are driven by Vietnamese political and economic stability, abundant workforce and natural resources, sound renovation and integration policies and incentives for foreign investors. 
Viet Nam has also made considerable progress in information and law transparency, foreign investment facilitation and creating a pro-business environment.
Overall, Viet Nam - US ties will see new positive prospects and further develop for the common interests of the two peoples, as well as for peace, stability and development. -VNA
